Selectively controlled oscillating device



Aug. 3, 1965 R. E. IBUSCH 3,198,428

SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED OSCILLATING DEVICE Filed June 10, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /7 FIIE l :5" IE. E

4 6 34 a H 1& 41 47 INVENTOR. E/Cf/APO 5 5036/1 BY Z/ 2. MM

ATTOE/VE) Aug. 3, 1965 R. E. BUSCH SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED OSCILLATING DEVICE Filed June 10, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. w my wa/ m 2 M J B E/ r Y B United States Patent 3,198,428 SELECTIVELY CONTROLLED OSCILLA'I'ENG DEVICE Richard E. Busch, La Puente, Calif, assignor to Clary Corporation, San Gabriel, (Ialfi, a corporation of California Filed June 10, 1963, Ser. No. 286,612

19 Claims. (Ci. 234-119) This invention relates to an oscillating device which is capable of being selectively operated through one or more cycles at extremely high speeds.

One example of such an oscillating device is a high speed tape perforator for recording coded data in the form of perforations along the length of a tape.

In high speed perforators of the prior art two systems are generally used. In one system, interposers are moved in and out of operating position and in the other, togglelike linkages are used to connect the punch actuator with the punch element. The interposer system presents the disadvantage of requiring time for insertion and removal of the interposers which, in the case of synchronously operable perforators, must occur at a precise time in an operating cycle, while the toggle linkage system requires a relatively large number of intermediate parts with a correspondingly large mass. Certain of such parts must be moved relatively long distances to eifect operation and must be actuated suddenly, thereby placing a strain on the driving means as well as onthe actuating parts.

In high speed selectively operable oscillating devices which operate at speeds on the order of 300 cycles per second or more any required initial setting of interposers or other control elements in order to effect operation places serious restrictions in speed and reliability of operation of the mechanism. Therefore, it becomes a principal object of the present invention to provide a selectively operable oscillating means which does not require initial setting of any control element in order to effect a cycle of oscillation of a driven means.

Another object is to provide a selectively operable means for effecting a very fast response of a cyclically operable oscillating means.

Still another object is to provide a selectively operable, cyclic oscillating means wherein the timing of a control signal may vary over a relatively wide range.

Still another object is to provide a selectively operable oscillating device which requires a relatively small amount of power for effecting operation.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be readily understood on reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: a

FIG. 1 is a. sectional plan view of a tape punch unit embodying a preferred form of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation view of the punch unit and is taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through one of the selectively operative devices for driving one of the punches through its stroke.

FIG. 4 is a developed view illustrating the movements of the oscillating device during non-active and active cycles.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional elevation view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the punch unit in its activated position.

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a developed view illustrating a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a graphic representation of control pulse timing during the cyclic operation of the punch unit.

The punch unit, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, com- Patented Aug. 3, 1965 prises eight data punches 12 and one sprocket punch 13 which are guided for endwise movement toward and away from a punch die plate 14 by a punch guide block 15 which is mounted on a side frame 16 by bolts 17. Means (not shown) are provided to guide and feed a paper tape 11 between the block 15 and die plate 14.

Control units, generally indicated at 18, for the punches are located alternately on opposite sides of the punches to provide sufiicient lateral spacing. The control units 18 are supported on respective shafts 19 and 21, the shafts being rotatably supported in the aforementioned side frame 16 and in a second side frame 22 spaced therefrom.

A pair of complementary cam followers 23 and 24 are keyed to the shafts 19 and 21, respectively, and each has a pair of follower rollers 33 and 34 which follow a pentagon shaped cam 25 for continuously oscillating said shafts in synchronism.

The cam 25 is mounted on the end of a shaft 26 which is rotatably supported in a pair of stationary bearing housings 27 and 28. Mounted on the shaft 26 intermediate the bearing housings is a drive pulley 29 which, through an endless drive belt 31, is continuously rotated by a motor 32. V

The followers 23 and 24 are arranged in such a manner that when the upper rollers 34 are positioned on respective apexes of the cam the rollers 33 will be positioned in the center of respective flats of the cam and vice versa so as to positively control movement of the shafts 19 and 21 in both directions.

Since the units 18 on the shafts 19 and 21 operate in the same manner except for being of opposite hand it seems necessary, for clarity and simplicity, to only describe the operation of the units on one shaft with the understanding that the units on the other shaft work in reverse order.

The control units 18, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, are each comprised of a retaining disc 35 keyed to the shaft 21 through a keyway 37. The discs are retained in a spacedrelationship by sleeves 38 also keyed to the shaft.

Mounted on each sleeve 38 intermediate adjacent discs 35 are three discs of which the first is a wedge or locking disc 39 which is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 38. The second is a driving disc 41 which is keyed to the sleeve but slideable axially thereon and the third is a driven disc 42 which is loosely keyed to the sleeve for reasons to be explained later. I

The face of the wedge disc 39 which is adjacent the disc 41 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) has a set of radially extending, equally spaced V-shaped teeth 43 formed thereon which project towards the driving disc 41 to engage with a set of matching teeth 44 formed on the disc 41.

The face of the disc 41 which is adjacent the driven disc 42 has a set of teeth 45 which are similar to the teeth 44 and engage with a similar set of teeth 46 formed on the face of the driven disc 42.

The disc 42 has an arm 49 formed thereon which extends radially from the periphery thereof into a notch 51 formed in the respective punch 12 for that order to form a pivotal connection with the punch.

The wedge disc 39 has a tail section 91 formed thereon that carries a soft iron armature which cooperates with a permanent magnet 66 through stationary soft iron extensions 67 to normally hold the disc from rotating in a clockwise direction under the urging of a compression type leaf spring 47 mounted on a stationary cross shaft 92.

As shaft 21 continuously oscillates, the discs 35 and 41,

being keyed to the shaft, will therefore also oscillate, but

g the shaft.

w 48 urges the disc 42 counterclockwise to normally hold the associated punch against a limit bar 62 extended between the side frames and beneath the punches.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 item 1, with the discs 39 and 42 stationary and the discs and 41 oscillating, each disk 41 will idle back and forth between its solid line position 41 and its dash line position 41a in substantially sliding engagement with discs 39 and 42.

In order to effect operation of a punch, each of the extensions 67 has wound thereon an electric coil 69 which is so arranged that energization will set up a magnetic flux path through the extensions 67 in opposition to the fiux path of the magnet 66. This will release the armature 60 and the wedging disc 39 to the influence of spring 47 to follow the driving disc 41 and to maintain wedging relationship therewith whereby to lock the driven disc 42 to disc 41 throughout the advancing stroke of Therefore, the arm 49 will move through an arc of approximately 4 degrees, driving the punch through the paper tape 11 and into the die 14.

It will be seen from the above that no mechanical movement of any part is necessary to effect clutching of the disc 42 to the driving disc 41 prior to actuation of the punch.

With the punch at the top of its stroke, as shown in FIG. 5, the springs 47 and 48 acting in opposing direc tions upon respective discs 39 and 42, will retain the disc 41 wedged therebetween and in clutching engagement with the disc 42 so that reversal of the shaft 21 i and driving discs 35 and 41 will also return discs 39 and 42 to lower the respective punch. The armature 60 will thus be returned to engage the extensions 67 and if the coils 69 are now de-energized the magnet 66 will retain the disc 39 in its released position shown in FIG. 2 to prevent the wedging action on the following cycle. Therefore, the spring 48 will retain the punch element against the limit bar 62 and the disc 41 will idle freely as aforedescribed.

It has been found desirable in using well lubricated metal discs to formthe surfaces of teeth and 46 at an angle a (FIG. 4) of 15 and the surfaces of teeth 43 and 44 at an angle b of 17". However, such angles may vary somewhat due to surface conditions, material, degree of lubrication, etc.

The driven discs 42, FIG. 6, as mentioned earlier, are loosely keyed to the shaft 21 through a keyway 49 in the sleeve 38. Thus, if a punch were actuated, the shoulder 85 of keyway 40 will positively return the respective disc 42 in the event slippage of the discs should occur for any reason. The space indicated at 86 allows the sleeve 38 to oscillate freely if the associated punch is not to be actuated.

It will be noted that the release coils 69 may be energized at any time during the return or counterclockwise movement of the shaft 21 so as to effect driving of respective punches, providing they remain energized until after the shaft has commenced its clockwise or driving movement. Also, the coils may be allowed to remain energized until just prior to complete return of the shaft.

The magnitude of the range wherein the control pulses for energizing the coils 69 may be commenced and terminated is shown graphically in FIG. 8. Here, in order :to effect operation of the mechanism through a cycle also likewise vary.

The above noted allowable wide tolerance in timing insures reliability when operating at speeds on the order of 300 cycles per second or more and obviates the neces sity of providing highly sophisticated timing systems to control the coils 69.

FIG. 7 illustrates a developed view of a modified form wherein the cooperating teeth of the discs 39, 41 and 42 are of saw tooth shape. In this case, the disc 42' may be freely mounted on the sleeve 38. When the disc 39' is released to the action of its spring to clutch the driving disc 41 to the driven disc 42, the driven disc will be advanced (to the right in FIG. 7) by virtue of wedged engagement of inclined surfaces and 96. During return of the disc 41', however, shoulders 97 on the latter will engage mating shoulders 98 on the disc 42' to return the latter to its initial position.

The use of magnetic flux to hold each wedge disc 39 in ineffective condition and a spring to maintain the same in effective condition upon opposing such flux requires a minimum of electrical energy to control the mechanism. That is, such magnetic flux, as derived from the permanent magnet 66, need be effective only when the armature 60 is in direct bridging engagement with the extensions 67 thereby producing the greatest holding power with a given amount of flux. Such flux need be counteracted by the coils 69 only sufficiently to enable the spring 47 'to hold the disc 39 in Wedging engagement with the driving disc 41. Thus, power derived from the oscillating shaft is utilized to both drive the associated punch and to return the disc 39 and armature 60 to a condition where the latter again bridges the extensions 67.

Although the invention has been described in detail and certain specific terms and languages have been used, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is illustrative rather than restrictive and that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appended hereto. For example, at least certain aspects of the invention may be embodied in many different forms of oscillating mechanisms other than tape perforators.

Having thus described the invention, What is desired to secure by U.S. Letters Patent is:

1. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising a I driven element oscillatable from and to an initial position a drive element, a control element, said elements being arranged in side-by-side relation, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said elements having inter-engaging surfaces on the adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to one of said directions of movement of said drive element, said surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other, and means for selectively yieldably urging said control element in said one direction whereby to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said control element in a position Ineffective to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element.

2. A selectively operable oscillating device according to claim 1 comprising means for invariably returning said driven member to said initial position.

3. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising a driven element oscillatable from and to an initial position, a drive element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said elements having interengaging surfaces on the adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to one of said directions of movement of said drive element, a control element, said control element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending at least substan tially parallel to said first mentioned surfaces, and means for selectively yieldably urging said control element in elements at least substantially in sliding engagement with each other.

6. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising an oscillatable driven element, a drive element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said elements having interengaging surfaces on the adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to one of said directions of movement of said drive element, a control element, said control element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending at least substantially parallel to said first mentioned surfaces, spring means for urging said control eleat an acute angle to one of said directions of movement of said drive element, a control element on the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said control element and said drive element having interengagin g surfaces extending at least substantially parallel to said first mentioned surfaces, spring means urging said control element in said one direction whereby to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element and for causing said control element to follow said drive element, means for holding said control element at the end of its travel in said one direction, and means for selectively releasing said holding means.

8. A selectively operable oscillating device according to claim 7 comprising means for normally maintaining said elements at least substantially in sliding engagement with each other.

9. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising a pivotally supported driven element, a drive element oscillatable about the axis of said driven element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element, said elements having at least substantially V-shaped interengaging surfaces on the adjacent ends thereof, a control element pivotal about said axis at the end of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said control element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces on the adja cent ends thereof, said last mentioned surfaces extending at least substantially parallel to one of said first mentioned surfaces, and means for selectively yieldably urging said control element about said axis whereby to maintain said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element or mantaining said control element in a position ineffective to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element.

10. A selectively operable oscillating device according to claim 9 comprising means for limiting axial movement of said elements relative to each other.

11. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising an oscillatable driven element, a drive element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said elements having at least substantially V-shaped interengaging surfaces on the adjacent sides thereof, a control element on the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said control element and said drive element having interengaging surface extending substantially parallel to one side of one of said V-shaped surfaces, and means for selectively yieldably urging said control element in one of said directions whereby to condition said drive element for driving said driven element or maintaining said control element in a position ineffective to condition said drive element to drive said driven element.

12. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising an oscillatable driven element, a drive element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said elements having interengaging surfaces on adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to said directions of movement of said drive element, a locking element on the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said locking element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending at least substantially parallel to one of said first mentioned surfaces, retaining members for limiting lateral movement of said elements relative to each other, means for oscillating said retaining members in time with said drive element, and means for selectively yieldably urging said locking element in one .of said directions to cam said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said locking element in a position ineffective to cam said drive element in driving engagement With said driven element.

13. A selectively operable oscillating device compris ing a pivotally supported driven element, a drive element oscillatable about the axis of said driven element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element, said elements having at least substantially V-shaped interengaging surfaces, a locking element pivotal about said axis at the end of said drive element opposite from said driven element, retaining members for limiting axial movement of said elements relative to each other, means for oscillating said members in time with said drive element, said locking element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending substantially parallel to one side of one of said V-shaped surfaces, and means for selectively yieldably urging said locking element in one direction about said axis whereby to maintain said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said locking element in a position ineffective to maintain said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element.

14. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising a pivotally supported driven element, a drive element oscillatable about the axis of said driven element, means .for continuously oscillating said drive element, said elements having interengaging surfaces on adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an obtuse angle to said axis, alocking element pivot-a1 about said axis at the side, of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said'locking element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending substantially parallel to said first mentioned surfaces, retaining members for limiting axial movement of said elements relative to each other, means for oscillating said retaining members in time with said drive element, and means for selectively urging said locking element about said axis in a direction to cam said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said locking element in a position ineffective to cam said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element.

15. A selectively operable punch mechanism comprising a die, a reciprocable punch cooperable with said die, an oscillatable driven element operatively connected to said punch, a drive element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said elements having interengaging surfaces on adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to said directions of movement of said drive element, a locking element on the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said locking element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending at least substantially parallel to one of said first mentioned surfaces, and means for selectively yieldably urging said locking element in one of said directions whereby to maintain said drive element in driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said locking element in a position ineffective to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element.

16. A selectively operable punch mechanism comprising a die, a reciprocable punch cooperating with said die, an oscillatable driven element operatively connected to said punch, a drive element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directlons, said elementsvhaving interengaging surfaces on adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to said directions of movement of said drive element, a locking element on the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said locking element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending at least substantially parallel to one of said first mentioned surfaces, retaining members for limiting lateral movement of said elements relative to each other, means for oscillating said retaining members in time with said drive element, and means for selectively yieldably urging said locking element in one of said directions to maintain said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said lock-ing element in a position ineffective to maintain said drive element into driving engagement With said driven element.

17. A selectively operable punch mechanism comprising a die, a reciprocable punch cooperable with said die, a pivotally supported driven element operatively connected to said punch, a drive element oscillatable about the axis of said driven element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element, said elements having interengaging surfaces on adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an obtuse angle to said axis, a control element pivotal about said axis at the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said control element and said drive element having interengaging surfaces extending substantially parallel to said first mentioned surfaces, retaining members for limiting axial movement of said elements relative to each other, means for oscillating said retaining members in time with said drive element, means for selectively urging said control element about said axis in a direction to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element or maintaining said control element in a position ineifective to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element, and means operable by said oscillating means for positively returning said driven element toward said last mentioned position independently of said drive element.

18. A selectively operable punch mechanism comprising a die, a reciprocable punch cooperable with said die,

a pivotally supported driven element operatively connected to said punch, said driven element being oscillatable from and to an initial position, a drive element oscillatable about the axis of said driven element, means for continuously oscillating said drive element, said elements having inter-engaging surfaces on adjacent sides thereof, each of said elements extending at an obtuse angle to said axis, a control element pivotal about said axis at the side of said drive element opposite from said driven element, said control element and said drive element having inter-engaging surfaces extending substantially parallel to said first mentioned surfaces, retaining members for limiting axial movement of said elements relative to each other, means for oscillating said retaining members in time with said drive member, means for selectively urging said control element about said axis in a direction to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element or for maintaining said control element in a position ineffective to cam .said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element, and means on said drive element for invariably returning said driven element towardsaid initial position.

19. A selectively operable oscillating device comprising a driven element oscillatable from and to an initial position, a drive element, a control element, said elements being arranged in side-by-side relation, means for continuously oscillating said drive element in opposite directions, said element having inter-engaging surfaces on the adjacent sides thereof, each of said surfaces extending at an acute angle to one of said directions of movement of said drive element, said surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other, means 'for selectively yieldably urging said control element in said one direction whereby to cam said drive element into driving engagement With said driven element or for maintaining said control element in a position inefiective to cam said drive element into driving engagement with said driven element, and means operable by said drive element for inariably returning said driven element to said initial posi- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. A SELECTIVELY OPERABLE OSCILLATING DEVICE COMPRISING A DRIVEN ELEMENT OSCILLATABLE FROM AND TO AN INITIAL POSITION A DRIVE ELEMENT, A CONTROL ELEMENT, SAID ELEMENTS BEING ARRANGED IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION, MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY OSCILLATING SAID DRIVE ELEMENT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS, SAID ELEMENTS HAVING INTER-ENGAGING SURFACES ON THE ADJACENT SIDES THEREOF, EACH OF SAID SURFACES EXTENDING AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO ONE OF SAID DIRECTIONS OF MOVEMENT OF SAID DRIVE ELEMENT, SAID SURFACES, EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER, AND MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY YIELDABLY URGING SAID CONTROL ELEMENT IN SAID ONE DIRECTION WHEREBY TO CAM SAID DRIVE ELEMENT INTO DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVEN ELEMENT OR MAINTAINING SAID CONTROL ELEMENT IN A POSITION INEFFECTIVE TO CAM SAID DRIVE ELEMENT INTO DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DRIVEN ELEMENT. 